Collections | Reforms and Social Changes | Health | Scenes from life [19 Objects]

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Introduction to the Chapter

Laënnec examining a patient at the Necker Hospital in 1816

19th century

National Library of France

Paris, France

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 Justification for this item

The history of medicine is marked by major discoveries in the 19th century, such as Laënnec\'s discoveries on auscultation (listening for body sounds, for example with a stethoscope). These discoveries helped to improve detection of diseases and care for patients.

Laënnec examining a patient at the Necker Hospital in 1816

19th century

National Library of France

Paris, France

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Plaster cast panel for microbiological education

1820–1840

Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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 Justification for this item

The profession of doctor changed enormously during the 19th century. Empiricism gave way to a scientific profession that required a good knowledge of diseases, medication and medical procedures. The training provided to medical students became extremely scientific thanks to specially designed teaching material and experimentation.

Plaster cast panel for microbiological education

1820–1840

Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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An image from the book Eastern Hospitals and English Nurses

1857

The British Library

London, United Kingdom

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 Justification for this item

Nurses contributed a great deal to advancing hygiene and medicine. Here, a nurse is changing the layout of hospital wards to limit epidemics.

An Anxious Hour

1865

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

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 Justification for this item

In the mid-19th centuries, infant mortality was still high. Children’s diseases were harrowing for parents.

An Anxious Hour

1865

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

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The Ambulance

1877

National Museum of Romanian History

Bucharest, Romania

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 Justification for this item

The numerous wars of the 19th and 20th centuries resulted in millions of wounded and dead. Ironically, this was a source of progress for medicine, in particular in the field of surgery, anaesthesia and asepsis.

The Ambulance

1877

National Museum of Romanian History

Bucharest, Romania

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Military Medical kit of Carol Davila

1877–1878

National Museum of Romanian History

Bucharest, Romania

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 Justification for this item

The profession of doctor changed enormously during the 19th century. Empiricism helped to establish a scientific profession that required a good knowledge of diseases, medication and medical procedures. The doctor’s kit of various medical implements was esssential.

Military Medical kit of Carol Davila

1877–1878

National Museum of Romanian History

Bucharest, Romania

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Edward Jenner Inoculates his Small Son with the Smallpox Vaccine

c. 1878

National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM)

Rome, Italy

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 Justification for this item

The invention of vaccinations helped to save many lives. The vaccination against smallpox, a very contagious and often fatal disease, was among the most important.

Portable pharmacy

c. 1880–1900

Pharmacy Museum

Lisbon, Portugal

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 Justification for this item

Great progress was also made in the field of pharmacy in the 19th century. Medication and antiseptics were taken on journeys and to front lines in special boxes.

Portable pharmacy

c. 1880–1900

Pharmacy Museum

Lisbon, Portugal

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Medical box of Dr. İbrahim Göze

1890–1923

Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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 Justification for this item

The profession of doctor changed enormously during the 19th century. Empiricism helped to establish a scientific profession that required a good knowledge of diseases, medication and medical procedures. The doctor\'s kit or bag containing various items for treatment and medication was essential.

Medical box of Dr. İbrahim Göze

1890–1923

Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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Weighing armchair

1890–1923

Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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 Justification for this item

Progress in medicine was accompanied by the design of tools to improve diagnosis and to monitor health, such as weighing and measuring patients.

Weighing armchair

1890–1923

Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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Turkey. Inside view of the Scutari Hospital during the Crimean war

1892

National Library of France

Paris, France

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 Justification for this item

Nurses contributed a great deal to advancing hygiene and medicine. Here, a nurse is changing the layout of hospital wards to limit epidemics.

Nosocomium [Latin: Hospital]

1895

National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM)

Rome, Italy

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 Justification for this item

Advances in psychiatry enabled a very gradual improvement in care for patients in Europe in the 19th century. Psychiatric illnesses were becoming better identified, and patients were no longer systematically locked up.

Nosocomium [Latin: Hospital]

1895

National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM)

Rome, Italy

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The patients in Darülaceze Hospital

1895

Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)

Istanbul, Turkey

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 Justification for this item

Wards in new hospitals were built to promote the hygiene and comfort of patients, with well-ventilated wards, beds spaced apart from one another, washable surfaces and so on.

The patients in Darülaceze Hospital

1895

Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)

Istanbul, Turkey

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Dr Charles Nicolle

20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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Dr Charles Nicolle

20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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Dr Charles Nicolle, Nobel Laureate for Medicine

20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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 Justification for this item

The history of medicine is marked by major discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries, such as those made by Charles Nicolle in the field of infectious diseases.

Dr Charles Nicolle, Nobel Laureate for Medicine

20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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Dr Béchir Denguezli, doctoral thesis in medicine

20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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 Justification for this item

Exchanges between Arab and European medicine have always been fruitful. In the late 19th century, Tunisian doctors were trained in France.

Dr Béchir Denguezli, doctoral thesis in medicine

20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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Dr Joseph Hariz, doctoral thesis in medicine

20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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Dr Joseph Hariz, doctoral thesis in medicine

20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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Dr Charles Nicolle

Early 20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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 Justification for this item

The history of medicine is marked by major discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries, such as those made by Charles Nicolle in the field of infectious diseases. These discoveries were made possible thanks to scientific equipment such as the microscope.

Dr Charles Nicolle

Early 20th century

Musée de la Médecine

Tunis, Tunisia

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Nişan-ı Maarif (Badge of Education)

1910

Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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 Justification for this item

Various states encouraged progress in medical sciences by awarding honours (prizes, medals and so on) to doctors who made discoveries or who contributed to improving the medical system.

Nişan-ı Maarif (Badge of Education)

1910

Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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Introduction to the Chapter